Artwork focused on quarantine to be featured in Carmel International Arts Festival

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — The City of Carmel is asking for artists to submit pieces created in quarantine for the International Arts Festival in September.

It’s called the Art Heals Project and is targeted to artists of all ages. But there’s one stipulation: the pieces should express the artists’ feelings of the pandemic.

Carmel International Arts Festival executive director Rachel Ferry says the project is a way for artists to express pain, love and frustration. She says there are so many people out there that are lost and lonely and don’t have a way to convey it.

Some pieces have already been submitted.

The festival brings in at least 30,000 people and artists don’t have to be from Carmel to submit artwork.

The art doesn’t have to be a painting. It can be a drawing, photograph or sculpture.

“This is an opportunity for everybody to discover their inner artist,” Ferry said. “I really think that people would be surprised at how creative you can be. And again art is an internal feeling through an outward expression.”

In order for artwork to be displayed, there are three things artists need to know. First, artists have to register online.

Second, applicants must take a photograph of themselves with their art project and share it on social media with the hashtag #arthealsproject.

Lastly, artwork has to be turned in on the evening of Sept. 25 between 6 and 9 at the Art Heals Project tent.

All of the completed projects will be present — but not listed for sale.

Ferry says art stores are currently open for curbside service or you could purchase supplies and have them shipped to your door if you don’t want to get out.

The International Arts Festival is September 26 and 27 in Carmel.